Poland Protests

It is a controversial topic worldwide: should abortion be legal? There are some countries that allow it, such as the United States and Canada. However, there is never just one side of a coin; there are nations that make abortion illegal and are adamant about it. One such example is Poland with their recently implemented stricter revision of a past law.

On October 22, 2020, the Constitutional Tribunal, which is basically Poland’s version of a Supreme Court, ruled a portion of the 1993 act, the Law on Family Planning, as unconstitutional. The original Law on Family Planning prohibited abortion with the exception of three cases. One, if the pregnancy was detrimental to the woman’s health and therefore must be removed. Two, if the pregnancy was forcibly imposed onto the woman or due to some kind of crime such as rape or incest. Three, if there is some kind of noticeable defect or impairment with the fetus. However, due to the most recent ruling, that third case was deemed a violation of “human dignity” and disposed of. Unfortunately, the majority of abortions done in Poland were specifically for fetal defects. It is understandable why a huge and sudden retaliation occurred. Poland was already known to have “some of the strictest [laws] in Europe” (The Guardian) and now it has only become more severe which limits many pregnant women desperately wishing for an abortion.

This may bring people to the question of why Poland so stern about abortion. First, Poland is highly religious. Many Polish citizens deeply revere the Catholic religion so naturally they will be against abortion as it goes against their religious beliefs. They believe that God has control over every life and therefore support the strict abortion laws. This could be a reason why many protesters consist of the younger generations. Secondly, just like any other countries’ debates, the question over morality comes into play. Is it right to take a potential life? Is it moral to kill off a living being’s chance of life just because it cannot defend itself in its current state? But is it not up to the pregnant woman herself? Must women’s choice be silenced for the sake of strangers’ beliefs?

Regardless, protesters wasted no time taking to the streets. In fact, it started the very same day the ruling was passed and is currently ongoing. Even in the midst of the Covid pandemic, “women and men across the country blocked roads and stormed churches” (Pikulicka). Many protesters were young, but there are also older adults who have relied on abortion multiple times in their lives before that have gathered to rally. Protesters congregate in front of significant buildings related to their cause such as town centers, PiS offices, churches, and even before the Polish Parliament itself. One protest organizer is Klementyna. According to BBC News, Klementyna organized a rally in front of Poland’s parliament at night to protest the recent abortion ruling along with many 17-year-olds and young adults. However, it is very difficult as there are many barriers and the Polish police are becoming more aggressive: beating back protesters and using pepper spray. Klementyna claims that this side is winning even if “it doesn’t look like it” and the fight for abortion will triumph as it is the younger generation’s wishes so the “old” men of government and the church will not survive the trial of time.

As much as it is the women who want the strict abortion laws to release tension a little bit, there are also women who do not believe in such acts. Furthermore, as much as this topic affects the female sex more, males have also shown their support for both sides. As of now, there is no sign of either side backing down or compromising. Government and Parliament refuse to apologize or retract their revision despite the backlash. Protesters won’t quit either despite the violence and rowdiness. With a topic like this and its level of ferocity, is compromise even possible?

References

“'This Is War': Poland's Battle for Abortion.” BBC News, BBC, www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-55077166.

Pikulicka-Wilczewska, Agnieszka. “Poland's Mass Protests for Abortion Rights: 'This Is War'.” Poland News | Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 6 Nov. 2020, www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/11/6/polands-protests-against-abortion-ban-this-is-war.

“Poland Delays Abortion Ban as Nationwide Protests Continue.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 3 Nov. 2020, www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/03/poland-stalls-abortion-ban-amid-nationwide-protests.